Chief
Executive Bulletin 26 January - 1 February 2001
Issue 51
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Chief
Executive Bulletin 26 January - 1 February 2001 |
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Contents: NHS interest NHS and Social Care interest 7. Your Guide to the NHS 8. Care Direct 9. SAFETY NOTICE - MDA SN2001(02) Problems Removing Urinary Catheters 10. National Service Framework for Mental Health - Workforce Action team (WAT)Social Care interest NHS / Social Care interest 1. Organ Retention - Royal Liverpool Children's Inquiry Report The publication of the report of the inquiry (www.rlcinquiry.org.uk/ ) into the Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, known as the Alder Hey Hospital, was announced by Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, on 30 January 2001 in the House of Commons. The inquiry was asked to look into the circumstances leading to the removal, retention, and disposal of human tissue, including organs of the body, from children at the Alder Hey Hospital, who had undergone post mortem examinations, and a range of related practices at the hospital. In the light of its findings, the inquiry was asked what lessons should be learnt and to make recommendations about what further actions were necessary to reform organ retention practices at the hospital and to support the families affected. At the same time as the publication of the report, the Chief Medical Officer published details of a national census www.doh.gov.uk/organcensus into the extent of organ retention in the NHS in England and his recommendations for reform of organ retention procedures. www.doh.gov.uk/orgretentionadvice The Secretary of State for Health is establishing a special Commission, the Retained Organs Commission, to oversee the return of organs and tissues from around the country to their families, should they wish to have them www.nhs.uk/retainedorgans . Guidance to Chief Executives was issued on nww.doh.nhsweb.nhs.uk/nhs/organretention.htm . Mailed to Chief Executives of Health Authorities and NHS Trusts. Further copies of all reports are available from The Stationery Office. 2. Consent To Organ And Tissue Retention At Post-Mortem Examination And Disposal Of Human Materials Report of content analysis of NHS Trust policies and protocols on consent to organ and tissue retention at post-mortem examination and disposal of human materials in the Chief Medical Officer's census of NHS pathology services Report: www.doh.gov.uk/orgretentionconsent 3. Investigation into Mortuary Arrangements at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust The investigating team interviewed more than 60 people connected with the incident, including relatives of the deceased, staff, managers, and key external people including HM Coroner, the CHC, the supplier of the temporary unit and the local paper that broke the story. The team would like to thank all those who were interviewed for their co-operation and honesty. From the evidence provided it is clear that the practice of placing bodies on the floor of the chapel of rest had been custom and practice for more than five years. Consequently, the trust failed to treat the deceased with due dignity and respect. On this occasion additional mortuary capacity was available, but was not being used because of a door defect that was not rectified for four days. This was because of confusion about accountability at middle management level and poor communication between departments. The trust has a number of issues that need to be dealt with urgently. It has already put in place procedures preventing any further use of the chapel of rest for this purpose. The trust should also ensure that the temporary mortuary facilities maintain appropriate standards of dignity for the deceased and are safe for staff to operate. Report: www.doh.gov.uk/ero/bedfordmortuary 4. Implementing the updated information and IT strategy for the NHS The information strategy for the NHS, Information for Health, was published in September 1998. The principles, objectives and direction of travel set by the national information strategy remain. However much of the reform and innovation necessary to translate the NHS Plan into practice requires an updated and progressive consideration of how to make the best use of IT in healthcare. Building the Information Core: Implementing the NHS Plan provides such an update. It outlines the necessary information and IT infrastructure to deliver the NHS Plan and support patient centred care and services. It also details clear priorities, targets and an action plan to meet those targets. Additional money from April 2001 will continue the step change in applying new information and communication technology to frontline care. In 1999, £79m was made recurrently available to Health Authorities for IT investment. A further £53m a year is to be added to the recurrent funds and there is also an additional £533m available to the NHS over the next three years. To reinforce the importance of ensuring the updated targets are properly included in 2001/02 plans, Nigel Crisp, NHS Chief Executive, has written to Regional Directors with clear guidance on implementing the updated IT targets across local health communities. 1. Building the Information Core: Implementing the NHS Plan available at: www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexipu/strategy/overview 2. Letter from Nigel Crisp available at: www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexipu/implemen/flis/2001/lislett.pdf 3. Local Implementation Strategy Guidance 2001/02 available at: www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexipu/implemen/flis/2001/lisguide.pdf 5. The Design Development Protocol For PFI Schemes Introduction This guidance sets out and formalises the procedures to be followed by an NHS Trust and potential bidders at each stage of the PFI procurement process, ensuring that the scope for misunderstanding the proposed solution is minimised. It builds on guidance on consideration of design issues already set out in Public Private Partnerships in the National Health Service: The Private Finance Initiative (Published December 1999). The Protocol has been developed during discussions between the Major Contractors Group (MCG), which represents the interests of the main construction contractors in the UK, the NHS Executive and NHS Estates. Hard copies of the guidance have been sent today to all NHS Trust Directors of Finance, Health Authority Directors of Finance, Regional Directors of Finance and the main private sector construction, architecture and Facilities Management companies involved in PFI in the health sector. Action This guidance should be read in conjunction with Public Private Partnerships in the National Health Service: The Private Finance Initiative. It must be observed by NHS Trusts undertaking PFI schemes prioritised as part of or subsequent to the "second wave" of major schemes announced in April 1998. The exceptions are those schemes whose Preliminary Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) was issued prior to the publication of this protocol. These schemes may adopt the Protocol at their discretion or otherwise continue with the process set out in the ITN. Availability The Design Development Protocol for PFI Schemes is available from 1 February 2001 on the NHS Executive website at www.doh.gov.uk/pfi and the NHS Estates website at www.nhsestates.gov.uk. Public Private Partnerships in the National Health Service: The Private Finance Initiative is available at the same NHS Executive website. A limited number of hard copies are available from Lynne Lewin on 0113-254-5420 at the NHS Executive and Jane Crossley on 0113-254-7101 at NHS Estates. 6. MET Office Workload Forecasts WEST and the Met office are issuing twice weekly workload forecasts, which will bring together the following information:
There are two levels of information:
We expect all those involved in responding to winter demand both in trusts and primary care to use the information as part of the management data-set when planning their organisations continued response to winter pressures. The forecasts can be obtained on the NHS web on the following address: nww.doh.nhsweb.nhs.uk/winter/forecasts.htm NHS / Social Care interest On 26 January the Department of Health published 'Your Guide to the NHS' - which is aimed at helping patients and the public to use the NHS more effectively and get the best out of their local services. 'Your Guide to the NHS' takes into account new and developing NHS services. It sets out national standards, drawn from the NHS Plan, which patients can expect from the NHS and will facilitate better access to services through better information for patients. 'Your Guide to the NHS' can be found at: www.nhs.uk/nhsguide Ref. 22545. Being mailed to NHS Chief Executives, Directors of Public Health, Medical, Nursing, Information, Communications, Local Authority Chief Executives and Directors of Social Services w/c29/1/01. Care Direct, the one-stop shop gateway to information about social care, health, housing and social security benefits, will be piloted next year in six local authorities in the South West. The new service will give older people improved access to these core services. This is a significant step forward in helping people get the information they need to make informed decisions and choices about their care. It is a good example of the Government's drive to improve access to information and services; and it represents, in a practical way, how Central Government, Local Government and the voluntary sector can work in partnership to provide a coherent, seamless service. The key elements of Care Direct are: One telephone number - Care Direct - which will route callers to local help desks based in local authorities. People who do not wish to, or cannot, use the telephone, will be able to call in person at their local helpdesks or make contact through outreach facilities. The telephone helpline will be staffed and managed by NHS Direct call centre staff The local helpdesks will all provide, at a minimum, information about the four core services covered by Care Direct. The local helpdesks will provide practical assistance to help people access services and social security benefits. This might include making appointments for clients or helping them to complete forms. A "befriender" scheme involving older volunteers will augment the local gateways. The Care Direct helpdesks will be supplemented by on-line facilities, linked to other websites - especially local authority websites - that will, in time, allow clients to access the same information that is held at the call centres. The Department of Health is developing Care Direct after wide consultation with users, carers, their representative organisations and service providers. They have welcomed the proposals, which will meet a real need for easier access to information and services. Care Direct will be piloted in the second half of 2001/02 in the following six local authorities in the South-West Government Office of the Region: Bournemouth, Bristol, Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Somerset The pilots will be extended in 2002/2003 to cover the remainder of the South West Region and, additionally, to a small number of other local authorities in England. Subject to full evaluation of the pilots, it is expected that Care Direct will become available in a further 30 local authorities in 2003/2004. Information about the developing project will be accessible from April 2001 on the Care Direct website, www.caredirect.gov.uk 9. SAFETY NOTICE - MDA SN2001(02) Problems Removing Urinary Catheters This Safety Notice was issued on 22 January to NHS Trust, Health Authority and Primary Care Trust Chief Executives and Directors of Social Services Departments. As usual it was also issued to Liaison Officers of Trusts and Health Authorities for action and for onward distribution as specified in the Notice. For further information on the role and nomination of Liaison Officers e-mail us at: bs@medical-devices.gov.uk http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk Electronic version of the SN 2001 (02) can be found at: www.medical-devices.gov.uk/sn2001(02).htm 10. National Service Framework for Mental Health - Workforce Action team (WAT) You will wish to note the second WAT Newsletter giving more details about the work of the WAT has now been placed on the NSF website - www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/mentalhealth.htm Social Care Interest 11. Amendments To Child Benefit (General) Regulations 1976 Amending regulations which affect the provisions for Child Benefit (ChB) in respect of children in care took effect from 20 November 2000. As a result
Local social workers have had opportunity to comment on the new forms, which have been welcomed as a great improvement, and are much easier to complete. Forms CH193, CH193D and guidance notes (CH193A) can be ordered
The documents in this bulletin are Crown copyright but may be reproduced by NHS and Local Authority staff without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use - ©2000
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